Camino 2018 - Days 08-14

Day 8 – Los Arcos to Logrono

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We completed the first 100 miles of our 500-mile expedition today.

Just going to let that sentence sink in for awhile….for Sarah and me.

Ok…we’re good.

We left Arcos early this morning as we had a 29Km / 18 mile walk in front of us…our final day in the Navarra region before moving into the Rioja region.  We were also curious to visit the town of Viana, the last city in Navarra, and the final resting place of Cesare Borgia.  Cesare was the son of Rodrigo Borgia, also known as Pope Alexander VI (long story).  Cesare was a Navarra army general, and also reported to be the inspiration for Machiavelli’s The Prince.  Possibly the book’s most famous quote – “It is better to be feared than loved…if you can’t be both”.   Wow…Thanksgiving dinner with the Borgia family must have been a hoot.  The merciful folks of Viana eventually forgave Cesare and buried him under the church of Santa Maria in Viana.

We began seeing more olive tree groves today.  Of course, olive oil is produced throughout the Mediterranean region and is a staple of the Mediterranean diet.  (Sarah and I recommend olive oil from Spain as the best).  The “fields of gold” pictures posted previously are of rapeseed plants that produce another vegetable oil called canola oil.  My first job out of college was selling canola oil (Puritan) for Procter & Gamble.  I found this coincidence of seeing both olive trees and rapeseed plants in the same day as both poignant and nostalgic.  Now that I read this paragraph, I realize vegetable oil is not the most exciting topic.  Let’s see if I can bounce back…

We ran into a guy at one of the small villages today going the opposite direction…and clearly a pilgrim.   He was telling a small group how he had successfully made it to Santiago de Compostela…then…decided to turn around and walk all the way back to his home country of Germany.  I only had one word for him…Lufthansa.

Crossed the path of a small herd of sheep today (click on link below).   The visual is very pastoral.  More importantly…the audio is surprisingly compelling.  I couldn’t understand why at first…then I heard it in the background…turn up the volume…and listen for it…

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In honor of us passing the century mark on miles…I thought I would add this song for the day…to keep us focused on the full journey to be accomplished.

 

13 Comments

  2. I am so enjoying you trek, and humor, yet I did not realize it was 500 miles! I was thinking it was like 150 to 200. Now I am even more impressed, and was really impressed before!

    1. Thanks for the comment, Kyle. The realization has become really real for us too. 🙂 In fact, Last night we stayed in a hotel on the corner of CALLE REAL.

  3. Love your journey…thanks for including us! Also love your song choice for today….I sing this song everyday for Larry ….why??? I don’t know…. (maybe cuz it drives him crazy…..)

    1. Thanks, Terry. I think driving Larry a little bit crazy is probably fair payback. 🙂 All the best to both of you and your clan.

  4. Great achievement to reach 100 miles, we believe they are the hardest.
    We understand the German pilgrim, if you have time we can not think of a better way to go home. Although today you have thought about Lufthansa, in your case maybe in Delta, when you arrive in Santiago you will seriously consider walking back.
    We allow ourselves to suggest a song if it seems good for any of the remaining stages. Starway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin.
    Hugs and encouragement from Cádiz.

      1. We like live version of long play, The song remain the same.
        Good day, we are waiting your day 9.

    1. Alex, congrats for being the first to hear the cowbell! Your Aunt Linda was second. Must be that July 8th birthday…you both must have the same fever that has only one prescription.

  7. Love it! Another reference it reminds me of her dinner together. We are so looking forward to reading your post tomorrow. We’ve enjoyed all the pictures and stories you guys are hysterical and inspirational!

    1. Thanks, Cynthia. Original credit for the Proclaimers’ song goes to you and Perry. Should have called it out in the post!

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